Puzzle.



(No Model.)

' Patented May l5, I900. R. RUSCHER.

PUZZLE.

(Application filed Nov. 16, 1899.1

war/243 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE,v

RUDOLPH ROSOHER, OF AUBURN, NEXV YORK.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,4;81, dated May 15, 1900.

Application filed November 16, 1899. Serial No. 737,152. (No model) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH Rosanna, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to puzzles, and the object thereof is to provide a novel and simple device of that class which embodies a box or casing, a transparent retaining-lid, and a plurality of movable bodies rolling in said box, and which will present a new problem or mode of operation in devices of this character capable of being accomplished and yet peculiarly interesting.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction and relative arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, in which like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in both views, Figure 1 is a plan view of a puzzle embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same.

In the.practice of my invention Iconstruct the PUZZlB'rbOX A of any preferred form, preferably rectangular,with upwardly-projecting walls A, the inner edges of which are grooved to receive and retain in fixed position therein a glass lid B. Ranging centrally in the upper face of the floor or base of the box A is an annular groove D, segmental in cross-section, the remainder of the inner or upper face of the base of the box A being preferably plane. Mounted in this groove D are a plurality of balls 0 of a size greater than the distance be tween the plane upper surface of the base and the under surface of the glass lid B, whereby these balls when once seated in the groove cannot be dislodged therefrom and are movable only in said groove. The number of the balls and the length of the groove D relative to the dimensions of these balls are such that they will almost, but not wholly, fill the annular groove I), but a space or spaces will always be left between certain of the balls, as shown at D in Fig. 1.

Freely movable across the whole area of the puzzle-box is a ball E of greatly less dimensions than the balls 0 and similarly of less weight. In practice the balls are preferably solid and formed of metal, though-this is optional.

Referring to the operation of my puzzle,tho object or mode of solution thereof is so to manipulate the puzzle-box in the hand of the op erator that the small ball E will be lodged in the groove D. This may appear from Fig. 1 to be a very simple procedure; but it will readily be understood that the moment the puzzlebox is tilted to cause the small ball E to move toward the open space shown at D thelarger balls C will also move and will quickly fill up this space,which action will be repeated when it is attempted to move the ball E in the di rection of any space which may be formed by the movement of the balls 0, it being of course understood that these balls 0 cannot leave the grooveD and that they almost, but not wholly, fill the same. It is only possible to lodge the small ball E in the groove by means of careful and skilful manipulation, for apparently the greater Weight of the balls C causes them to move more quickly than the smaller ball E, and the device to be successfully worked must be held in such position that the separated balls 0 are retained sufficiently apart to permit the ball E to enter be tween them.

It will thus be seen that I provide a new and simple puzzle, presenting novel features in a device of this class and interestingin its attempted operation.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A puzzle, comprising a base having an annular groove in the upper surface thereof, a plurality of balls adapted to rotate in said groove, and partially but not wholly occupying the same, means for retaining said balls in said groove against dislodgment therefrom, and a ball freely movable upon said base, and adapted, when the puzzle is manipulated, to be rolled to enter the groove.

2. A puzzle, comprising a box having, an annular groove formed in the upper surface of the base thereof, the remainderof. said surface being plane; a transparent lid firmly mounted in said box to close the same, a plu rality ofballs mounted. in said annular groove,

and of greater dimensions than the distance between the plane upper surface of the base and the under surface of the transparentlid,

'said balls nearly but not wholly filling the said groove, and a smaller ball movable over the whole area of the box andadapted, when the puzzle is manipulated, to be rolled into said groove.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention Ihave signed my name, in pres- 1o ence of the subscribing witnesses, this 10th day of November, 1899.

RUDOLPH ROSCHER.

Witnesses:

J. LEWIS GRANT, WM. ANDERSON. 

